The Indiana Court of Appeals will travel to a southern Indiana high school to hear a civil case involving First Amendment claims for a police officer’s private statements.

In Jack Messer v. New Albany Police Department, No. 22A05-1104-MI-179, New Albany’s Civil Service Merit Commission suspended Jack Messer from the police department after the public learned of statements he made about public housing during a post-roll-call conversation with fellow officers. On appeal, he argues that his statement was protected by the First Amendment, so he shouldn’t be disciplined for speaking as a citizen in a private setting about a matter of public concern.

Arguments before Judges John Baker, Edward Najam Jr. and Melissa May will begin at 11 a.m. Feb. 8 at Silver Creek High School in Sellersburg. The arguments are open to the public.